Florida: Judge Legalizes Gay Marriage in One County

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

July 17, 2014

A judge legalized same-sex marriage in Monroe County on Thursday, siding with gay couples in the Florida Keys who said the state’s ban, approved by voters in 2008, is discriminatory and makes them second-class citizens. The ruling applies only to Monroe County and was immediately appealed by Attorney General Pam Bondi. Judge Luis M. Garcia, appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush, said couples could get marriage licenses as early as Tuesday.